john john jesse

I have never quite understood the assimilation of “punk” and it’s subsequent usage, especially in hairstyles and fashion, totally misses the point. But Jesse is a superlative, poignant painter nonetheless.

He painted the girls he grew up with, citing the punk lifestyle of girls and drugs. Most of the people featured in his work are friends of his. They are generally nude or partially disrobed, in situations that are both fantastical and gritty. Jesse has, to date, two self declared series of renderings. The first consisting of black & white drawings he calls the “Baby Demonica” series and the second, full color paintings he calls the “Demonica Erotica” series.

Jesse also played bass in the New York Crust punk band Nausea and designed posters and album art for bands like Agnostic Front. He is a former guitar player for the band Morning Glory.